After the shocking loss in the November election, Republicans are once again considering whether to change leadership at the top. Reince Priebus wants a second term as RNC chair and still has considerable support for another go, but apparently some committee members have begun recruiting alternative candidates, among them former Congressman J.C. Watts. Watts tells Politico that he's not sure he'll run, but he's interested:

Watts, an African-American conservative who served in the House from 1994-2002, said the GOP defeat on Election Day demonstrates that Republicans need to broaden their appeal to minority voters, and cannot continue on their current path if the party is to be successful in presidential races.

My concern right now, and I dont say this necessarily as a candidate [for RNC chairman], my concern is that as a Republican, every single Republican in America ought to be concerned about what has happened in 2008 and 2012, Watts said in an interview with POLITICO. In this business, if youre not growing, youre dying.

Watts would not identify who is lobbying him to challenge Priebus, and reiterated that he has not made a decision to definitely jump into the race.

Watts also says that he believes the RNC needs to fundamentally rethink its “ad hoc” approach to outreach:

Watts complained that Republican efforts to reach out to minority groups have not been sustained or consistent during his 20-plus years as a politician, but rather are executed on ad hoc basis – usually in election years. In Watts view, and that of many other Republican leaders and party operatives, if the GOP doesnt dramatically improve its image with black and Hispanic voters, it will not be able to win back the White House.

These old, tired, pathetic models of saying, Okay, in the black [community], when theres a presidential election, we will form an African-American Coalition for [Mitt] Romney or [Sen. John] McCain, Ill never do that again. That is a joke, that is so tired, Watts said. Its window dressing to say, African Americans for Romney or African-American Coalition or African-American Advisory Council. Thats insulting to the people that they ask to do it when you dont put an permanent infrastructure in place to give it credibility.

I think Priebus did a pretty good job, considering the state of the RNC when he first took over. The organization was deeply in debt, and fundraising was in disarray. The RNC didn’t have a credible GOTV effort in 2010 in the week before Election Day in those midterms, and ended up relying out outside groups to drive their message. They were better prepared in this cycle, but just got out-organized by Team Obama and the DNC.

That said, I’m a big fan of J. C. Watts for precisely the kind of insight he has here. Republicans cannot compete with the kind of lackluster effort that has been made in urban centers. It isn’t just the infrastructure that’s the problem, though; it’s also a lack of vision and specific policies from candidates and the party to put conservative principles to work in these communities to make the lives of voters better. We need both infrastructure and policies, on an ongoing basis, and not just — as Watts says — in the last few months before an election. Republicans have to make themselves part of these communities, not just occasional tourists.

Perhaps Watts won’t run for RNC chair, or the RNC will think someone else will serve better. They’d better find a way to put Watts in position to make his insights a reality, though, if the GOP wants to compete in future elections.

All things equal many folks voted Romney cause he is white. In ‘08 I was a breath away from not voting at all, for either hack, for the first time in my life and just couldn’t, mainly so I would have the right to complain.

I think Priebus did a pretty good job, considering the state of the RNC when he first took over. The organization was deeply in debt, and fundraising was in disarray. The RNC didnt have a credible GOTV effort in 2010 in the week before Election Day in those midterms, and ended up relying out outside groups to drive their message. They were better prepared in this cycle, but just got out-organized by Team Obama and the DNC.

Baloney! 2010 was a great election and was driven by the Tea Party. The GOP spent the next two years suppressing the Tea Party and 2012 was the result. Romney couldn't even win his home state.

13
posted on 12/03/2012 2:16:22 PM PST
by Moonman62
(The US has become a government with a country, rather than a country with a government.)

Bravo! Exactly what the GOP NEEDS to start doing TODAY. Conservatives have allowed the demoncRATS to define who we are for 20+ years, instead of going out and defining ourselves, and making clear to ALL Americans what we stand for and want to see happen for ALL Americans.

I'm extremely frustrated watching members of the Republican party scratch and paw for voters based upon either watered down values, or shifting to demoncRAT values (or rather, the lack of values).

25
posted on 12/03/2012 2:31:17 PM PST
by SoldierDad
(Proud dad of an Army Soldier who has survived 24 months of Combat deployment.)

Watts would be a good guy to have as head of the RNC, but I`m not seeing the difference he`d be able to make. The disadvantage for the Repubs is far more structural in terms of the political orientation of the country than the tactical nature of the RNC chair election..

31
posted on 12/03/2012 2:37:33 PM PST
by ScottinVA
(I've never been more disgusted with American voters.)

IMO, you don't set up groups to do outreach. You put your big-boy pants on, set up appearances in the Black and Hispanic communities, you look them in the eye, and you sell Conservatism to them based on issues that are important to them.

1. Look what happened to your working men under Obama. He implemented policies that cost many of them their livelihood. I disagreed with that, and this is what I intend to do about it starting on day one. a. b. c. d.

2. I am very unhappy that some Black and Hispanic youth think they are disenfranchised. I don't want that. I want every Black, Hispanic, White and any other family to be economically sound and successful. On day one I will: a. b. c. d.

3. Folks, many of you have grown up hearing that 'rich White people' don't care about you. I don't know White people who think like that. Consider this. a. if you aren't doing good, you will need government help b. if your family isn't doing good, your kids won't prosper c. if your family isn't doing good, you will be more likely to be a drain on your community, than a contributing member

Please understand, I'm not making a statement about what any ethnic group is like. These types of dynamics are at play in all areas. I'm making a statement about whether we have been implementing the right type of things to make businesses grow, and increase hiring in not only your community, but each and every community. I'm going to do the very same things to make sure hiring increased in White communities too. This isn't limited to you as if I see you as some special case. We may not have lived the same type of life, but there goals that Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, and every other citizen share. I want to make sure that everyone has a chance to become successful. That does not stop at city borders. It goes from coast to coast and from the Canadian to the Mexican border. I don't like high crime in any area. I don't want any children to live in fear. I don't want any adults to have to live in, or raise children in poverty.

What impetus would I and Whites have to want to see you or anyone else not be successful.

I can guarantee you, that I want to see people emerge from your and every other community, that will be successful business and political leaders.

I have nothing to gain by anyone failing to succeed and a lot to gain from everyone's success. Our very nation does!

Republicans do care about you. It makes us sad to read of high crime, and failed families anywhere.

I will not stop working to improve everyone's lives for the next four years. My staff will be in contact with key people in your community, some of them here today. They can be honest with them. I will be appointing an unpaid task force to specifically push enterprises in your and many other areas, that will improve areas that have not been as successful as we would like. You will be able to call these people to make reports ask questions and when necessary, get my attention to take personal action on your communities behalf. I want to show respect for your elected community leaders, so my team will work closely with them whenever we can.

I honestly do appreciate you coming here to talk to me today. I hope that you will trust me, but even if you don't and I am elected, I promise to work my butt off to make your lives better and earn your respect.

Thank you very much.

34
posted on 12/03/2012 2:39:23 PM PST
by DoughtyOne
(Hurricane Sandy..., a week later and over 60 million Americans still didn't have power.)

That would contradict everything I have heard and seen of the guy, and I did hear him speak in person once. I was able to find this:

“Is Watts serious about Obama?

Well, no, I didnt say that, he told Sean Hannity on his national radio show today. What I said in the article was that I was a free agent. No one should assume that J.C. Watts should vote one way.

Watts, a former Southern Baptist associate pastor, blasted the Republican Party for taking both blacks for granted and evangelical Christians.

Pastors need to be careful in this endorsement game, he said.”

And as far as his criticism of McLame goes, I will fully admit that even with the delightful Sarah, pulling the lever for McLame was one of the most difficult decisions of my life. Without Sarah I would have seriously considered staying at home - that’s how little regard I have for the guy.

Back when - J C Watts came out of a meeting on the impeachment of Clinton, and a reporter asked him about a letter he supposedly sent out. He looked at the guy and told the reporter, I just came out of a meeting to impeach the President of the United States, and you ask me about a LETTER?! The reporter didn’t answer back, and it was dropped. That answer worked then and if he could give those kind of retorts, he might be ok for Speaker.

Watts, an African-American conservative who served in the House from 1994-2002, said the GOP defeat on Election Day demonstrates that Republicans need to broaden their appeal to minority voters, and cannot continue on their current path if the party is to be successful in presidential races.

J.C. Watts would be a great choice!!

47
posted on 12/03/2012 3:03:50 PM PST
by ExCTCitizen
(More Republicans stayed home then the margin of victory of O's Win...)

Sorry, but Watts is very much a racist and will abandon anything he says he stands on to vote for someone just because of his color.. he proved that in 2008 when he gladly voted for Obama. He’s part of the GOP establishment and part of the problem, America does not need him in office. I would never trust anyone who would stoop to vote for Obama or any of the other dems. No thank you!!

If the Republicans are going to let the voter fraud go on and do nothing. If the Republicans can’t explain anything to the public. If the Republicans think they can play fair with the left. If the Republicans are scared to stand for anything but what the Dems want. It’s no wonder they lost. I, for one, am SO disappointed in those who are supposed to represent us. They stand closer to the Dems than they do the conservatives out here. They can’t win without us...and they aren’t going to get votes from the left.. so what are they thinking?

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